Shelby, MS to Gulfport, MS is 294.1 miles and takes about 6h 11m via Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, moving entirely through Mississippi. You'll be on a mostly highway profile for the majority of the drive. With a recommended one-day duration, this is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.1 miles from Shelby, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
73.9 mi
1h 32m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
US 61
25.3 mi
33m
MS 448
13.5 mi
23m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~3,273 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,355
Quietest
2 AM
~278 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 161
32 ft·2 sec·South Broadway Street
2
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·East 2nd Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Martin L King Jr Boulevard
485 ft·9 sec·Martin L King Jr Boulevard
4
Continue on East School Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·East School Avenue
5
Continue on Parchman Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Parchman Road
6
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
25 mi·33 min·US 61; US 278
7
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·East Peeler Avenue
8
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·MS 448
9
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
10
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
12
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
13
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
15
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
17
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
19
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
24
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 11m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to arrive in Gulfport well before evening. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. Factor in the $43 fuel cost and plan your stops accordingly; you'll have one main stretch of over 80 miles on Highway 49 South, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition off US 49 onto North Martin Luther King Drive as you approach Gulfport.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.1 miles from Shelby, MS, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 65 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.1 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shelby, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shelby, MS
This is one driving day of about 294.1 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Shelby, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Highway 49 South for about 80.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 231.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Martin L King Jr Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Martin L King Jr Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
7
228 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
231.2 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
231.5 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.78 one way
$91.56 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.47
$100.94
premium
$4.71
$54.55
$109.09
diesel
$6.18
$71.55
$143.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.88
$14.12
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.73
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Shelby, MS
Morning
in Shelby on Monday
Local time
6:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Morning
in Gulfport on Monday
Local time
6:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
NE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 131.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 68% of it utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter an 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South without needing to exit. Expect a mostly highway experience, transitioning to surface roads as you get closer to your destination. The significant highway share means you'll likely notice fewer intersections for extended periods.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Martin L King Jr Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 294.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Martin L King Jr Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 219.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
359 ft20 ft
Total Climb
360 ft
Total Descent
495 ft
Highest Point
359 ft
~168.1 mi in
Elevation Range
339 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shelby, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 294.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gulfport, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Martin L King Jr Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 219.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulfport, MS before the return drive.
